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Secret Lives ~ Ice Breaker Game 1
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A great game for adults and kids to quickly build relationships.
When sending out the reunion or retreat invitation, ask each attendee to send back a secret fact about themselves, such as a hidden talent or hobby.
Prepare a game sheet with all the secrets listed and a blank line next to each. You'll need one sheet for each participant.
After everyone chooses their room and settles in, invite them to gather in the theater, living room or deck...anywhere in the house that everyone can get comfortable and relax. Hand out the sheets and ask everyone to mingle and figure out which secret belongs to whom. This can take some time, so don't rush your group if everyone is having a great time.
When everyone is finished, have them take turns confessing their secret to the group while you mark each sheet and choose a winner. Smoky Mountain souvenirs make great prizes!
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Through the Hoops
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Who's Who ~ Ice Breaker Game 2
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This game is similar to 'Secret Lives,' but is especially good for family reunions. It's a great way to get children mingling with adults, and it gives them the opportunity to learn something about an older generation that they might not have otherwise.
Prepare a game sheet with facts about Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents and older cousins such as, "Who started their own business at age 15?", "Who was named after their great, great, great, great, great Grandpa?' or "Who was sent to the principals office 10x in high school?" Choose questions that will encourage laughter and further conversation.
Children will all start at the same time approaching adults and asking questions. Adults should engage the kids as much as they can, and even provide hints if they want. The first child to have all the correct answers is the winner! A few tokens for games at Smoky Mountain Fun would just make their day!
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This is a great "team effort" game and even more difficult when you pair children with adults. However, no matter who your group consists of, this game is challenging and fun for all!
You'll need 2 Hula-Hoops and a large, outdoor space. Divide your participants into 2 groups and have each group form a large circle, hands clasped. (A Hula-Hoop will hang from one set of clasped hands.)
The name of the game is to pass the Hula-Hoop around the group without letting go of hands. To do this, each person will have to go THROUGH the hoop & then help the next person get through by raising and lowering their clasped hands. Sounds easy, doesn't it?
The first team to get the Hula-Hoop back to the starting position wins!
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Sugarlands Visitor Center - Inside the park, 2 miles south of Gatlinburg on US 441
Open All Year
May: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. / June - August: 8 a.m.-7p.m. / September: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. / Call for Other Months
Your group could easily enjoy a couple of hours or a full afternoon at Sugarlands Visitor Center, depending on the special programs and exhibits that are offered during your visit and if you'd like to include a short, self-guided hike. There are Ranger-led programs conducted seasonally, along with a 20-minute film with Dolby Digital Surround Sound, and extensive natural history exhibits. Facilities include the Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop, public restrooms, telephones, and vending machines.
There are two short and easy hiking trails beginning at Sugarlands. The 1-mile Sugarlands Nature Loop is a terrific introduction to hiking in the park, while the 2-mile Gatlinburg Trail follows the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River.
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 Picnic Areas
Planning a picnic for a large group outing is an ideal way to enjoy the National Park and provide an entertaining day. Many of the picnic areas are located near rivers, creeks or waterfalls. This offers opportunities for exploration for the more adventurous in you group while others can relax under shade trees. Picnic spots include Big Creek, Chimney Tops, Cades Cove, Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, Heintooga, Look Rock, Metcalf Bottoms, and Twin Creeks. Click here for a park map showing all National Park picnic areas. You can print this map or purchase one at the Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore.
All picnic areas have pavilions except Chimneys and Cades Cove. The picnic pavilions at Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep Creek, Metcalf Bottoms, and Twin Creeks can be reserved for groups up to five months in advance via telephone at 1-800-365-2267 or online at the National Park Service Reservations. All pavilions except Twin Creeks cost $20 per use. Twin Creeks' fee ranges from $35-$75 depending on the usage. Payment can be made by credit card or personal check at the time the reservation is made.
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Hiking
There are more than 850 miles of hiking trails in the park that range from easy 1/2 hour hikes to strenuous weeklong backpacking trips. There are trails suitable for everyone attending your family reunion or church retreat, even handicap accessible 'quiet walkways' along the Gatlinburg bypass. For additional group fun, pick up a copy of the Scavenger Hike Adventure Book that offers up close and personal looks at the National Park with the added twist of a Scavenger Hike.
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Other Outdoor Adventures
The National Park also offers many other opportunities for outdoor fun with horseback riding, whitewater rafting, river tubing, and wildlife viewing. Please remind your reunion and retreat participants to always keep safety in mind while in the park and never feed wildlife. It's a good precaution to be sure that someone knows where your headed and an approximate time of your return.
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Gatlinburg Attractions for All Ages
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These Gatlinburg attractions are sure to please as each has something to entertain and amuse everyone in your group. Each of the Gatlinburg attractions listed are members of the Gatlinburg Attractions Association and Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, and each offers large group discount rates. *Some attractions require an advance reservation.
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Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies - Group discount rates with 20 or more people, including 1 free pass for each 20 paying.
Smoky Mountain Fun - Group discount rates for 12 or more people. "Do It All" passes available. Laser tag, 2 outdoor mini-golf courses, indoor Black Light mini golf, Bankshot Basketball, Venturer Motion Movie Ride, gem mining, video arcade, bumper cars, and 3-D movies.
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park - All day wristbands available throughout the summer--do it all for one price! Lots of kid's amusements & attractions with year round ice skating!
Wonder Works Upside Down Attraction - Excellent choice for large groups of 20 or more people. Several 'zones' offer plenty of opportunities for exploration and discovery. Visit online for a group proposal for fun at Wonderworks fun and food at Hoot N Holler dinner show!
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Other Gatlinburg & Smoky Mountain Area Attractions
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A Smokies Plane Ride - Enjoy a real adventure in the Pigeon Forge area with a plane ride high above the Smokies! Great rates for half hour and full hour rides for up to 3 people per ride. Experience the Smokies like never before! Flight instruction available.
Bent Creek Golf Course - Located in Gatlinburg in the Cobbly Nob area. Enjoy Bent Creek Golf Course for a round or two of challenging mountain golf. Let us help you arrange a corporate retreat or family reunion golf tournament! Features a full service golf shop, golfing lessons, and golf vacation packages!
H2O Sports Watercraft Rentals - Douglas Lake Boat rentals, jet ski, waverunner, and Sea Doo rentals in Dandridge Tennessee, just outside Sevierville & Pigeon Forge. Great rental rates and discount coupon available.
High Country Adventures Whitewater Rafting - Tennessee Ocoee River rafting for the experienced and novice rafter! Professional High Country guides will deliver you through the wild and wooly rapids of Double Suck, Tablesaw and Broken Nose. Large group discount rates available.
Scavenger Hike Adventures - Explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park like never before with this scavenger hike book! Hikes for all ages and abilities to secret 'treasures' in the mountains. Excellent for large groups and family reunion activities.
Southland Car & Jeep Rental - Hwy 321. East Parkway. Make your tour of the Smokies a real adventure in one of a variety of Jeep rentals or a Hummer H2.
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Annual Gatlinburg Festivals
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Plan your reunion, spiritual church retreat or family vacation around these cultural and fun-filled annual events!
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Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival - September 19 - October 31, 2008
A countywide celebration of harvest season including the cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville & Pigeon Forge. Includes old fashioned hay rides, entertainment and history throughout Gatlinburg. Numerous artisans and craftspeople are on-hand each day to demonstrate their skills, answer questions, and offer their unique art for sale.
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Gatlinburg Winterfest & Winter Magic - November 5, 2008 - February 28, 2009
Winterfest Kick-Off takes place in downtown Gatlinburg TN at Ripley's Aquarium with a Chili Cook-Off and live entertainment! The winter festival continues with the Winterfest Celebration of Lights and Trolley Rides, Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts show, Gatlinburg's Festival of Trees and Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, and New Year's Celebration.
The fun continues through the New Year with Night Magic Skiing at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement park through the special lights displays of "Smoky Mountain Romance."
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Smoky Mountain Springfest - March 11 - June 7, 2009
Gatlinburg Springfest brings beautiful blooms and nature exhibits! Enjoy the Arts & Crafts Community Easter Arts & Craft Show, Gatlinburg's Ribfest & Wings Cook-Off at Ripley's Aquarium, and the Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage.
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Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage - April 22 - 26, 2009
Enjoy the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with over 170 different programs including hiking tours, motorcades, demonstrations & classroom lectures. Annual event not to be missed!
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Gatlinburg Mountain Fest™ - August 24-25, 2009
New summer festival in the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce and the city of Gatlinburg TN, your large group will enjoy genuine Appalachian and Bluegrass music, arts & crafts from local artists, demonstrations from local talent, and homemade southern cookin' by Gatlinburg restaurants.
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Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales® - July 1 - August 8, 2009
Another all new summer festival brought to the Great Smoky Mountains by the city of Gatlinburg TN. This festival's goal is to bring evenings of entertainment surprises to the traditional summertime Parkway stroll experience in Gatlinburg, and features costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying various time periods from the 1800s to today.
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865.850.6124
Fax: 865.774.9705
Smoky Mountain Arts & Crafts Community
Proffitt Road and Glory Ridge Way
Gatlinburg TN 37738
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Hemlock Hills Gatlinburg Resort Cabin Rentals, Large Group Cabin Rentals for Reunions and Christian Retreats, and Real Estate Investment Property in Gatlinburg TN. Choose Hemlock Hills for your Gatlinburg vacation rental or purchase one of our homes for sale for a permanent vacation home that you can place on a rental program. Hemlock Hills Gatlinburg Resort is a log cabin community located on the trolley route of the Great Smoky Mountains Arts & Crafts Community, offering convenience to downtown Gatlinburg, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park & Pigeon Forge TN. Being just a short drive or trolley ride from Gatlinburg Attractions such as Ober Gatlinburg and the Gatlinburg Aquarium, numerous Gatlinburg Restaurants & Pigeon Forge Outlet Malls, you can have the best of convenience along with peaceful Smokies surroundings. Our resort also offers a free Gatlinburg Worship & Wedding Chapel for weddings, large group gatherings or spiritual retreats. Bring your Christian retreat or next family reunion to our Gatlinburg Cabin Rental Resort for superior lodging accommodations with convenience for plenty of group fun! We also offer smaller cabins that are ideal for a family vacation or Gatlinburg wedding & honeymoon. Don't want leave the Smokies? Our Gatlinburg TN Real Estate is for sale by owner / builder. When making an investment in Tennessee real estate, choose Hemlock Hills Resort.
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